Agenda - Round Table
Australian Braille Authority
Annual Meeting Minutes
Saturday, 14 May 2016
Bayview on the Park, Melbourne
Chair: Christine Simpson
Minute Taker: Leona Holloway
Welcome and Personnel
John Simpson gave orientation to the room, which was set out with six round tables in the shape of a braille cell.
Christine welcomed attendees to the meeting and acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land upon which we meet.
1.1 Roll call
Christine invited attendees to introduce themselves and indicate if they were the appointed voting delegate of a Round Table member organisation.
Alejandro Valencia-Castano – Queensland Narrating Service (delegate)
Annette Sutherland – NSW Department of Education and Training (observer) & Sydney Braille Forum (delegate)
Barbara McDonald – Department of Education NT (delegate)
Brian Conway – Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (observer)
Chelsea Bartlett – South Australia School for Vision Impaired (observer) & Blind Citizens Australia (delegate)
Christine Simpson – Information Alternatives (delegate)
Debbie Cooke – Vic (observer)
Faye Rowbottam – Sensory Vision Education, WA (delegate)
Janet Douglas – Queensland Braille Writing Association (observer)
Joanne Chua – SA (observer)
Jordie Howell – Vision Australia, Vic (delegate)
Josie Howse – NSW Department of Education (delegate)
Julie Sutherland (observer)
Karen Clark – Alternative Format Library, Disability Support Services, Education Queensland (delegate)
Kathleen (Kate) Stephens – Vic (observer)
Kathy Riessen – South Australian School for Vision Impaired (delegate)
Leona Holloway – Monash University (observer)
Maria Stevens – Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (delegate)
Marie Shang – Association of Blind Citizens NSW (delegate)
Mitzi Raaphorst – Vision Australia, NSW (observer)
Nathaniel Taylor – University of Melbourne (observer)
Neil Jarvis – Blind Foundation (delegate)
Nigel Herring – Pentronics (observer)
Ross de Vent – Statewide Vision Resource Centre (observer)
Sam Taylor – Pacific Vision, Qld (observer)
Scott Erichsen – NSW (observer)
Sonali Marathe – Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (delegate)
Tom Macmahon – Narbethong Special School, DET Queensland (observer) & Queensland Braille Forum (delegate)
Tricia d'Apice – Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (observer)
Tristan Clare – Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (observer)
Wendy Sara – Queensland Braille Writing Association (delegate)
Yuemei Lim – VisAbility (delegate)
Present
Aaron Horsington – Guide Dogs Victoria
Dinesh Burah – VisAbility & Round Table Executive
John Simpson – Information Alternatives
Marjorie Hawkings – Round Table administration officer
Sally Armstrong – Guide Dogs Victoria
1.2 Apologies
Bill Jolley – ABA International Representative
Sondra Wibberley – Macquarie University
Debra Lewis – Statewide Vision Resource Centre
1.3 In memoriam
Tammy Axelsen
(read by Neil Jarvis, Round Table President)
A month after our last conference, it was a huge shock when Tammy Axelsen died suddenly. She had been with Round Table and our administration officer for a very long time. Most of us knew her and knew her well. She was always there to help and loved Round Table very much. We all miss her but we remember her with pride.
Tammy, rest in peace. Thank you for being a friend and colleague.
Christine added that Tammy began her involvement in Round Table as a braille transcriber in Hobart.
Linda Triasmono
(read by Wendy Sara, Queensland Braille Writing Association)
Linda was born in Rockhampton, Queensland.
Her parents made the difficult decision to send Linda to Brisbane for her education to Narbethong School for the Visually Handicapped. Being totally blind, Linda learned braille and was a competent student and went to Cavendish Road High School a year earlier than normal.
Linda was the first blind student in Modern Asian Studies at Griffith University. She taught Indonesian to other students while she completed her Arts degree. She studied German for six years at school before becoming interested in Indonesia while studying the country's history at school. Another reason for her choice of Indonesian was that it used the Romanised alphabet which did not present the problems for a blind student that Japanese or Chinese would.
She had a life-long interest in music. Linda and I were in the School Choir together and she played organ, piano, guitar, autoharp and angklung (like a wooden xylophone), which she was fond of teaching to blind students to pass on her love of music.
The Queensland Braille Writing Association produced many of her study materials and exam papers, which Linda very much appreciated.
She started her association with Braille House by attending the Braille Literacy Challenge as a school student, where she won numerous awards. She continued her association as an adult by becoming editor of the Braille Magazine, was a member of the Governing Council, was a tutor and became the go-to person for all queries about Braille.
Linda encouraged me to join her in sitting for the Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in UEB, because she realised we needed to perfect our skills as braille transcribers and tutors. I am very grateful that she coerced me into doing this.
Linda was a strong proponent of braille as a major form of literacy for blind people and became involved in many facets of the Australian Braille Authority by becoming Convenor and then Secretary of the Queensland Forum, then on to joining the national executive as member and then Secretary. She also involved herself in the formatting guidelines committee.
Her friendship and her willingness to share her knowledge will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
John Shute
(read by Jordie Howell, Vision Australia)
Many of you who attended the National Braille Music Camps will know of John Shute: braille music transcriber, musician, organist, choir conductor and friend. Sadly, after a long battle with cancer, John passed away with his wife June beside him.
In 1993, while reading as a volunteer at Vision Australia, John met Dorothy Hamilton who introduced him to braille music transcription and he read to her for over 10 years. After attending the Braille Music Camp, John took it upon himself to learn braille in a period of three weeks, and then moved straight on to mastering the braille music code.
John dedicated the last 20 years of his retirement to braille music. He transcribed all the music for the national Braille Music Camps for over 15 years, collating it in to beautifully bound books for the students to work from on the first morning of camp. Even while seriously ill this year, John and June would have several of us over at different times so that John could dictate the camp music to us. I remember arriving one day to find he had already brailled one of the pieces and wanted me to proofread it.
In addition to his dedication to the music camps, John worked as a freelance transcriber, transcribing music at short notice for blind musicians, both in Australia and overseas, often working in the middle of the night to ensure their music was ready in time for rehearsal. He also mentored students and taught them to dictate their music to other friends, encouraging them to become independent and self-sufficient musicians.
John and June were a wonderful couple, fitting into the blind community as if they’d always been there. If you’d visit them for lunch or a cup of tea, you were spending time with your closest friends.
John, you will be sorely missed. Your legacy lives on in the 30,000 pages of braille music you transcribed, in the skills and knowledge you imparted to so many blind musicians and the friendship and memories we all treasure.
Phil Gilbert
(read by Leona Holloway)
Phil was a highly skilled and well-respected tactile graphics transcriber, volunteering for the Royal Blind Society and Vision Australia for the past 46 years.
Always eager to learn and pass on his knowledge, Phil produced tactual graphics using thermoform, screen printing and even experimented with creating his own swell paper. In recent years, Phil learned UEB maths and computer graphics software. He was an active member of the TABMAP tactual mapping group and his work could be found in their annual diary.
Phil will be sadly missed, but his legacy of countless tactile maps held in the Vision Australia library collection will continue to be used for many years to come.
Mike Ridley
(read by Leona Holloway)
Mike Ridley, business partner with Tim Connell at Quantum Technology for over 30 years, passed away on Monday 25 April. Mike was a brilliant engineer and was in part or wholly responsible for many products that have been used by students who are blind and vision impaired. This includes the Braille-n-Print, the SpeakWriter, the Mountbatten Brailler, Nomad and PIAF.
Mike was a consummate engineer, and one that was driven by a strong social conscience. He interacted with many VI teachers over the years, helping and training many people. He was a backroom kind of guy, never seeking publicity or accolades. But his contribution has been enormous, to children here in Australia as well as throughout the world.
A moment's silence was held in memory of those we have lost, who were treasured for their friendship and the contributions they made to braille in Australia
Administration
2.1 Meeting arrangements
John Simpson outlined the arrangements for breaks.
2.2 Confirmation of meeting agenda
The agenda was confirmed as prepared.
Minutes of 2015 Annual Meeting
3.1 Tabling of meeting minutes of 16 May 2015
Minutes were prepared by Jordie Howell and Leona Holloway and passed by the ABA Executive. They were circulated with the meeting papers and have been posted to the ABA website's archives page at .
3.2 Business arising from 2015 minutes not listed elsewhere
None.
Reports
4.1 Round Table Update – Neil Jarvis (Round Table President)
Further details of the Round Table's activities over the last year can be found in Round Table Annual Report.
The Round Table enjoyed a very successful Conference in Adelaide in 2015.
We were shaken badly when Tammy died in June last year. A lot of people assisted in the days and weeks following to try to keep things running. Thanks to Leona for assisting with the website and public image and for support to Neil and Marjorie. Thanks also to John Gard for assistance with financial affairs. Welcome to Marjorie Hawkings to the Round Table, who has hit the ground running.
The Round Table has two working groups updating the Guidelines on accessible e-text and accessible examination materials. They are almost ready to present their updates to Executive, which will be made available in the next few months.
The Australia and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) has been set up as a new standing committee of the Round Table. We hope to involve people in this new initiative to share resources, news, ideas and expertise. Accessible graphics is a fast-moving environment with many new technologies available. Thanks are extended to Leona Holloway for initiating the group.
All RT Executive positions up for election this year. The new ABA Chair will automatically join the RT Executive. Nominations for further positions are due by 5.30 this afternoon. The Round Table is keen to welcome new representatives on its executive.
4.2 ABA Annual Report – Christine Simpson (ABA Chair)
Christine gave an overview of her Chair's Report, which is attached as Appendix 1.
A motion to accept the report was moved by Christine Simpson, seconded by Josie Howse and passed by the national committee.
The report will be posted to the ABA website at .
4.3 Regional Braille Forum reports
4.3.1 Sydney Braille Forum – submitted by Tricia d'Apice (Convenor)
Tricia d'Apice read her summary of 2015 for the Sydney Braille Forum, which is included as Appendix 2.
The AGM was held on 17 February. Sandra Robertson is the new Chair. Annette Sutherland returns as Secretary. A presentation on the Reach 'n' Match braille and tactile learning toy was presented by Tricia d'Apice.
Future topics may include:
• Connor McLeod and tactile markings on Australian bank notes
• PDF to braille
• tactile diagrams
• braille literacy awards
4.3.2 Queensland Braille Forum – submitted by Nicole Donaldson (Convenor)
Tom Macmahon addressed the 2015 Report of the Queensland Braille Forum, which is included as Appendix 3.
At the AGM in 2016, Nicole and Julee-anne stood down from the executive. Wayne Weismann took on role of Convenor and Correspondence Secretary. Members will share minute-taking duties. Sue Wagner continues as Treasurer. The Forum were very pleased to welcome Kathy Riessen from SASVI to the meeting.
Braille Club has been very enjoyable and popular. Please ask Tom Macmahon or Wendy Sara if you are interested in the braille games they have been playing: braille buzz and braille cell.
The Braille House library has been remodelled. The next Braille Club will provide orientation to the new library, look at new titles and learn how to borrow books. Braille Club may start an informal braille book swap among members.
Christine Simpson added that it is great to see children's books being made available in UEB from overseas now.
Christine thanked the forum representatives for their reports and good work throughout the year.
4.4 Music subcommittee report – Jordie Howell
Jordie Howell addressed the report of the braille music subcommittee, which is included as Appendix 4.
The music subcommittee is an informal group.
Thanks are extended to Kathy Riessen for her assistance with the braille music addendum. It is now housed on the ABA website at . If you find any errors or have suggestions, please don’t hesitate to let us know, as it is intended as a living document.
John Shute was posthumously awarded the David Blythe Award for services to blind students. The award was presented to his wife, June Shute, at a concert in his honour on 6 March. Julie Sutherland asked about the availability of recording from the March 6 Concert. Please contact Jordie directly for a dropbox location.
Tom Macmahon asked about the international cataloguing of braille music and the ease of obtaining braille music from overseas. There is a list on the ICEB and RNIB websites listing the organisations from which you can obtain braille music. There is not a single catalogue.
Ross de Vent asked whether there is a list of braille music transcribers in Australia. The National Library Service have a list of braille music transcribers for the USA. This has not been done as a comprehensive list in Australia but transcription/provision of braille music is included as information on the ABA Directory of Braille Services.
4.5 Code books and instruction manuals
4.5.1 ABA Rules and Guidelines for Formatting Braille – Leona Holloway (Editor)
We are pleased to report that the ABA Rules and Guidelines for Formatting Braille is now complete and available.
The original goal in writing the guidelines was to ensure that clear expectations regarding consistent and best practice formatting were available, particularly for those sitting the Trans-Tasman Proficiency Certificate. This goal was expanded substantially to encompass guidelines giving best practice options, with extensive examples and instructions on how to achieve formatting using Word and the Duxbury Braille Translator.
Thanks were extended to the working party for their invaluable assistance and long-term commitment in completing the guidelines: Christine Simpson, Kathy Riessen, Josie Howse, Shirley Henderson, Colleen Flood and Linda Triasmono.
Leona and Kathy will be presenting a workshop on the Guidelines at the Round Table Conference on Monday morning. It will cover the essential rules and the basis for making formatting decisions. All are welcome.
The guidelines and the workshop materials are available for download on the ABA website at . A .brf for embossing and PDF for print are available now. A .brf for reading with a refreshable braille display and PDF with added accessibility features will be added shortly.
The next, much smaller goal, is to compile a document with examples of formatting for technical materials, as this is an area with even greater variability but we did not want to include anything in the Guidelines which could potentially be affected by the upcoming revision of the UEB technical guidelines. We already have some good examples but would appreciate submissions of further examples – preferably showing how you would produce them in braille but also print examples that you are unsure of how to format. Input will be invited through Ozbrl.
Christine Simpson added that a print reader is presented with lots of different formats. In braille, there should similarly be variation but there are some things that need to always be consistent to allow the reader to navigate the braille document quickly and easily.
Kathy Riessen added that the Australian template that comes with DBT 11.3 matches the formatting guidelines.
4.5.2 Unified English Braille: Australian Training Manual – Josie Howse (Senior Editor)
The manual is available on the ABA website at .
It is being used in many places and is the core basis of the UEB Online program.
4.5.3 The Rules of Unified English Braille – 2nd Edition 2013 – Christine Simpson (Editor)
The UEB Rulebook is being widely used in Australia and internationally. ICEB has received requests for translation into other languages. Braille Literacy Canada has completed a French version, which will soon be available through the ICEB website.
The UEB Rulebook can be downloaded from .
4.5.4 Unified English Braille – Guidelines for Technical Materials
The UEB Guidelines for Technical Materials (2008) is available from the ICEB website at . Some corrections were released in 2014, however the document is in need of expansion and revision. The ICEB Codes Maintenance Committee will discuss how to do this at a face-to-face meeting in Baltimore.
Leona Holloway, Kathy Riessen and Josie Howse are interested in assisting with the revision. If anyone else would like to help or has suggestions of the best way to proceed, we would love to hear from you.
Josie Howse said that the Guidelines are a very valuable resource but there are some areas that need expansion or needs to be more user friendly. Both the layout and content need updating.
Maria Stevens said that in New Zealand they have developed a series of examples to supplement the technical guidelines.
Debbie Cooke asked whether Canada have adopted UEB. Yes, they have.
4.5.5 DBT Producers' Manual – Leona Holloway (Editor)
The DBT Producers' Manual is available from our website at . It was completed in 2011 when DBT 11.1 had just been released.
Kathy Riessen has updated appendix 6 for her own purposes, which we will make available shortly via Ozbrl and the website.
Is a revision of the remainder of the manual desirable? We would just check it for accuracy regarding how DBT operates; we would not rewrite any of the content. No one indicated an immediate need for a revision. We will revisit this issue annually.
In other Duxbury news over the past year:
• DBT 11.3 was released in November 2015.
• DBT implemented a fix for back translation of the shape terminator. Thanks to Karen and her team at the Alternative format library in Narbethong for raising this.
• raised an issue with text boxes being imported inconsistently. To our knowledge, Duxbury have not yet addressed this issue.
• the new release of SWIFT caused problems with the Australian template, which Kathy Riessen raised with Duxbury. To fix the issue, Duxbury have created a new import file to be associated with the Australian template. It needs testing before implementation.
Our collective thanks to everyone who has raised an issue and subsequently helped improved translation for all users. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you find a similar issue.
Ross de Vent wants to use DBT more. He contacted Duxbury and asked if there is a way to use it left handed. They replied that they have no plans for such a mechanism. Julie Sutherland is also a one-handed user of DBT. She uses entry via ASCII. Kathy Riessen will liaise with Ross to explore options.
Tristan Clare reported that RIDBC experienced two problems with DBT 11.3 and consequently went back to using DBT 11.2. Kathy Riessen will liaise with RIDBC for trouble-shooting.
Jordie Howell is still using DBT 11.1. Refreshing with braille display is problematic. Has this been resolved? Tom McMahon is having similar problems but Christine Simpson is not.
Debbie Cooke is using a Focus Blue braille display (but has also tried with older display) and has found that the rocker bars don't work in braille file; only in the print file.
Neil Jarvis suggested that it may be the screen reader causing the problems rather than DBT. Users experiencing such problems must check version of JAWS and Windows.
4.6 Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in Unified English Braille – Josie Howse (Australian Convenor)
The 8th Trans-Tasman Test was held in first week of October
In Australia, there were four candidates, of whom two were touch readers. One touch reader and one print reader were successful.
The results are sent out all at the same time.
We now have 55 successful candidates. This is roughly the same as the number of people who hold the previous ABA proficiency test in the old Australian code.
Congratulations to all those who hold the UEB Certificate.
Thanks to all involved in conduct of Certificate in Australia and New Zealand.
A meeting was held yesterday with Josie Howse, Tricia d'Apice, Maria Stevens, Christine Simpson and Leona Holloway. It was a very valuable full-day meeting to review all of the test materials and papers. There will be some small changes and a new trial sample paper that will go on the ABA website shortly at .
The 2016 examination will be held in the first two weeks of October, with candidates able to choose one of the two weeks to sit the test.
Very few errors are related to UEB. The vast majority of errors are simple braille typing errors. Most errors could be avoided by careful proofreading of your own work.
Maria Stevens added that formatting is also problematic for New Zealand candidates. It is important to be very careful when submitting the test. New Zealand is proud to share the Certificate with Australia.
Mitzi Raaphorst asked if you can re-sit the exam. Yes, in the following year.
Christine Simpson would like feedback from touch readers who have sat the exam, regarding mark-up of the braille.
Kate Stephens asked whether it is essential for those who hold the previous certificate to sit the test in UEB. Christine Simpson replied that she does think it would be worthwhile to bring your skills and accreditation up-to-date.
Tristan Clare did not realise that she was allowed to check her paper for errors before submitting it. This can certainly be done and it will be made more explicit in the exam instructions in future.
Ross de Vent suggested it would be good to have a list of people who have passed the certificate. Christine Simpson reported that this was done in the past but since then, some people have requested not to have their name publicised. We can collate names in the future after asking express permission on the application form.
4.7 Electronic communication
4.7.1 Facebook page – Leona Holloway
The ABA Facebook page is located at
The page now has over 400 followers. The majority are from Australia, 30 from New Zealand, 20 from the USA and the remainder from all over the world.
This year, we have started sending monthly digests of our Facebook posts to Ozbrl. This ensures that everyone can see all of the posts without having to actively seek them out, as Facebook usually only shows a small portion of a page's updates to its followers. It is still worthwhile to join the page, however, in order to get the news in a more timely way and to interact with the group. It has been lovely to see more comments on recent updates.
The ABA's most popular Facebook posts reach several hundred or even thousands of Facebook users. The most popular posts tend to be stories about the importance of braille, new braille technologies and achievements by local Australians.
4.7.2 OZBRL Listserv – Christine Simpson
The Ozbrl listserv continues to serve as the ABA's primary means of communicating with members. Members are also encouraged to share news and submit queries. Over the past year there has been an increase in queries about the availability of braille transcriptions, which we hope has been helpful.
To join the Ozbrl list, send a blank email to ozbrl-subscribe@.
Tom McMahon asked how many people are on the Ozbrl list and who they are. Christine does not know but she does want to review the list. There are several old addresses that need to be removed. She hopes to be able to give an accurate figure next year.
4.7.3 Braille Australia Website and Correspondence – Leona Holloway (Correspondence Secretary)
The ABA website is located at . We are pleased to report a 50% increase in page views for the ABA website over the past year.
After the Welcome page, the most popular pages are those on Unified English Braille, the UEB Australian Training Manual and the Directory of braille services and products in Australia.
The most recent change to the website is the addition of a page for the formatting guidelines. The events page is always being updated. It is great to see so many braille-related activities happening locally. Some changes have also been made to the information for signmakers, based on their feedback. Feedback is always welcome.
Much of our correspondence is generated through the web page, although we do also receive queries through the Facebook page and directly to Christine Simpson as ABA Chair. We receive a lot of queries from sign makers in regards to standards, but almost never to check the braille is correct. Some say they liaise directly with agencies to generate or check the braille text. Members of the general public most often ask about obtaining braille for a friend or for demonstration purposes. Braille cards are a popular request. The answer they are looking for is often already available via the ABA Directory of braille services ().
ABA Executive Committee 2016-2018
There is a two year term for ABA Executive positions. Christine sent a call for nominations for the position of Chair and five members for the ABA Executive. Christine has served for the past 6 years as Chair and must now move to the position of past Chair.
We received one nomination for the position of Chair and welcome Jordie Howell as the new Chair of ABA.
We received five nominations for the committee positions. Our new executive committee for the next two years consists of Josie Howse, Leona Holloway, Kathy Riessen (returning) and Ross de Vent and Sam Taylor (new to the executive). The committee will determine responsibilities among themselves.
International Reports
6.1 Braille Authority of NZ Aotearoa Trust –
Maria Stevens (BANZAT Chair)
Maria spoke about the highlights from her report (Appendix 5).
Christine Simpson asked how accreditation is being promoted to those purchasing braille. Maria responded that promotion to both producers and purchasers is still required and of great importance.
Julie Sutherland asked whether New Zealand use Nemeth for mathematics. They had a two year changeover period but now use only UEB maths.
6.2 Braille in the Pacific
No report this year. Frances Gentle will be in attendance at the remainder of the Round Table Conference.
6.3 ICEB – Bill Jolley (ICEB Executive Treasurer)
Bill Jolley's report was read by Christine Simpson. It is included as a section of the ABA Chair's report in appendix 1. Bill will be available to answer questions at the remainder of the Round Table Conference.
Bill has been Australia's representative on the ICEB for many years, the last 8 as Treasurer. He will not re-stand for executive this year. Leona Holloway has been nominated to represent Australia on the ICEB Executive, to be confirmed at the General Assembly.
6.4 ICEB Music Committee – Jordie Howell (Convenor)
Jordie Howell is Chair of the ICEB's Music Committee. The remaining committee members are Rebecca Blaevoet (Canada), Stuart Lawler (Ireland), Moya Michalakis (New Zealand), Jean Obi (Nigeria), Marius Swart (South Africa), Roger Firman (United Kingdom) and Ruth Rozen (United States). Over the past year, the committee continued work on charges as reviewed in 2014 at the ICEB mid-term meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand. The main areas of discussion were:
1. Music and lyrics: formatting of music with particular focus on implementation of UEB.
2. Collating a list of transcription services across member countries. The list was completed by the UK and can be found at .
3. Music catalogues both online and hard copy.
4. Preserving hard copy materials and digitising masters held only in hard copy.
Another purpose of the ICEB Music committee concerns sharing knowledge with other braille music committees in member countries as well as promoting successful models of teaching braille music that can be applied nationally and internationally. One of our future goals along the lines of collaboration with other related groups is to work with the World Braille Council to update the International Manual of Braille Music.
Julie Sutherland asked about braille for refreshable braille display. Jordie recommends braille music for refreshable braille be produced at 32 cells per line instead of 40. Tom McMahon uses refreshable braille when transcribing music. Use of braille displays for music will increase in Queensland over the next year. Nigel Herring queried the efficiency gain if reformatting to 32 cells. The touch readers in the room agreed that they prefer to read line for line.
6.5 UEB Code Maintenance Committee – Leona Holloway
The UEB Codes Maintenance Committee (CMC) is responsible for official documentation of the rules of UEB, providing clarification where needed and making additions and changes as necessary. It consists of a Chair (Phyllis Landon, Canada), two invited experts (Christine Simpson, Australia and Joe Sullivan, USA) and a representative from each member country of ICEB: Leona Holloway (Australia), Jen Goulden (Canada), Stuart Lawlor (Ireland), Maria Stevens (New Zealand), Jean Obi (Nigeria), Ntshavheni Netshituni (South Africa), James Bowden (UK), and Frances Mary d'Andrea (USA).
UEB has been implemented in the USA, Canada and UK over the last year. As a consequence, many more observers have joined the Codes Maintenance Committee email list from these countries.
A query was received regarding use of numeric passage indicators for long strings of numbers, such as ISBNs, printing history of a book, page numbers in an index or a series of measurements. A clear preference was shown for restricting the use the numeric passage indicator primarily to technical material, as readability is considered more important than the small space-saving that could be achieved in most instances. However, the numeric passage indicator may be used in literary material when there is a clear advantage to its use, such as for arrays of numbers which would not otherwise fit on the page in a logical manner.
Discussion continued regarding confusion between the print apostrophe and single quote. In some texts, this symbol is indistinguishable from the print sign for the single quotation mark. Translation programs and electronic readers often default to the two-cell quotation mark in braille (,0) whatever the intended sign. An amendment to the wording of UEB Rule 7.6.5 was approved to now read:
7.6.5 Use one-cell (nonspecific) quotation marks when apostrophes are used as the predominant quotation marks in print. Use specific single quotation marks when apostrophes are used as the secondary or inner quotation marks in print. However, when in doubt as to whether a mark is an apostrophe or a single quotation mark, treat it as an apostrophe when between letters, and as a single quotation mark in other circumstances.
However, the change was not felt to be sufficient to resolve the issue and it remains under review.
The Codes Maintenance Committee will hold a face-to-face meeting at the ICEB General Assembly in Baltimore next week. All committee members except Christine will be in attendance.
1. Apostrophe issue – brainstorming with view to resolve.
2. Examine new requests and decide if any should be recommended to the executive as charges.
3. Prioritise new symbols that need assignments. These include a symbol for the sharp "s" or German ess-tset, new symbols for letter modifiers, and confirmation of the symbol for the check mark ✓. The suggestion is to use the radical without vinculum "%
4. Discuss a mechanism to revise the Technical Guidelines, which was originally published in 2008 before the first edition of the Rulebook.
• It will be revised to more closely follow the format of the Rulebook and to emphasise rules for transcription of technical material rather than guidelines.
• Whenever possible, more examples will be provided.
• New math symbols which have been requested will be devised and incorporated into the rules. These include the triple vertical bar ⫴, which was put forward by Australia.
• Suggested strategies for the work include
• divide up the material
• set up a separate listserv
• dedicated working group
5. Expansion of the UEB Rulebook Appendix 2 Word List. Phyllis has been collating a list of tricky words that would be good to have in an appendix showing correct use of contractions. Please let us know if you have any words to add to this list.
If you have any ideas, priorities or would like to volunteer to assist with any of these tasks, please let us know.
Kathy Riessen pointed out that we pick up on the questions being asked on Ozbrl and take them forward as appropriate.
Member Activity Reports
7.1 Queensland Braille Writing Association
Queensland Braille Writing Association is the only Braille Writing Association remaining in Australia. Wendy Sara read report written by President Sue Wagner (Appendix 6). She welcomed new ABA Exec member Sam Taylor, who has joined the Queensland Braille Writing Association Council to discuss and determine future direction of QBWA.
7.2 Education Queensland
Karen Clark reported that Education Queensland supports vision impaired students from birth to the end of secondary school. Advisory Visiting Teachers work in remote areas and may not see their students often in person. The department provides assistive technology, equipment and an alternative format library. The lending library of existing resources for students is mainly accessed via staff who work with them. The Australian Curriculum (C2C) recommended reader means that everyone is reading the same story, making materials easier to source and prepare. There has been an increase in requests for electronic files, which are being used with screen readers and refreshable braille.
The Alternative Format Library looked into producing early education materials such as tactile books. They are working group this term with volunteers making books.
Julie Sutherland asked about alternative format materials for NAPLAN tests. Students all over Australia receive materials produced in NSW by the Department of Education. Education Queensland have past NAPLAN tests available for loan.
7.3 Northern Territory – Barbara McDonald
Barbara McDonald submitted a report after the meeting. It is included as Appendix 7.
8. Other Business and Discussion
8.1 Signage – Leona Holloway
The Australian Standards released draft AS 1428.4.2-2015 for wayfinding in late 2015. We were pleased to see the inclusion of direct instructions regarding braille code usage in the standards rather than a direction to follow ABA standards, however there were several errors in the braille. ABA corresponded directly with the Standards committee members in addition to submitting a formal response to the draft. We will continue to monitor the situation.
8.2 UEB Online – Frances Gentle
(read by Christine Simpson)
The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) in New South Wales, launched the “UEB Online” braille training program for sighted learners in June 2014, following more than 12 months of development.
The program is based on the Australian UEB Training Manual, which was edited by Josie Howse, Kathy Riessen and Leona Holloway, and released by the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc. and the Australian Braille Authority.
Between June 2014 and January 2016, there has been a total of 39,815 registered users of UEB Online, with 972,700 page views and 166,409 individual sessions undertaken. Users of UEB Online, (as determined by the number of individual sessions), have come from the United States (58%), United Kingdom (18%), Australia (12.5%) and Canada (5.5%).
RIDBC is currently developing an accessible version, called “Accessible UEB Online”, that will be officially launched in Melbourne this month (May 2016). Development of the accessible version has been led by web site designer "PeppaCode", supported by a collaborative team of educators, researchers, consultants with vision impairment and engineers. The course content for both UEB Online and Accessible UEB Online is the same, thereby ensuring that the certificates of completion represent equal value, regardless of which version of the program is used. For more information, visit:
Mitzi asked whether there is a record of people who have completed enough.
Josie responded that you can request a certificate for completion of module 1 and completion of module 2 (at cost). There is a record of these.
Josie responds to queries from people undertaking the course.
Mitzi asked whether UEB Online replaces Braille for Educators. Braille for Educators was a pre-requisite module for the Masters course. UEB Online is much broader as a free course available to anyone who requests it.
Mitzi pointed out that UEB online does not teach you how to teach braille.
8.3 Onkyo Braille Writing Contest
Contest run by WBU Asia-Pacific region and BCA within Australia. Applications close tomorrow. Winners from last year will be published in the next BCA newsletter.
8.4 Accessible Graphics Group
Leona reported that the Round Table is launching a new standing subcommittee with a focus on Accessible Graphics. It has started on a small scale but we already have an active listserv, Facebook page and web page. The primary and most immediate goal of the group is to serve as a point to share our collective knowledge regarding accessible graphics. This includes tactile graphics, descriptions, clear/large print, and newer solutions such as 3D printing, image recognition software, sonification, haptics, and refreshable tactile displays. We will discuss further aims at our first meeting during the conference [WHEN?]
Please join us in whatever capacity you can if you are interested in tactile graphics and other methods of accessing graphics.
To join the Accessible Graphics listserv, send an email from your preferred account to accessiblegraphics-request@ with “subscribe” in the subject field.
Alternatively, visit the list page at . Under “choose an action”, select “subscribe”.
More information is available on the group's web page at
Pre-UEB materials for new students
Marie Shang asked whether new braille students are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with pre-UEB materials so that older books remain relevant. Brian said no, because there is limited time at school to do anything additional to the curriculum and expanded core curriculum. However, he believes that a good braille reading student would have very little difficulty understanding an old braille book. Jordie responded that it is happening in an informal way as students are introduced to older materials. There is no need for the old books to be discarded. Karen Clark reported that they have culled pre-UEB materials for young students but they still have a lot of old fiction materials still being used by older students. Kathy Riessen and Barb McDonald agreed that the same is happening in SA and NT.
Julie Sutherland asked the new executive to consider a presence on LinkedIn and Twitter.
9. Feature Presentation – "The Orbit Braille Reader" by Neil Jarvis
Neil Jarvis is President of the Round Table, Executive Director of Strategic Relations & Accessibility at the Blind Foundation, and a DAISY Consortium Member. He is a lifelong user and advocate of braille.
Neil's presentation is given in Appendix 8. He also handed around a prototype version of the Braille Reader. It has already been superseded by a newer version with improvements.
Debbie Cooke asked if there is a driver for JAWS. Yes, there is. It uses the same driver as the Refresh-a-braille device. You don't need to install a new driver.
Mitzi Raaphorst asked whether the NDIS will impact on funding for refreshable braille displays. Neil said that it may come down to the role of the assessor. Brian Conway said it depends on how you develop your NDIS plan. If you say that you just need refreshable braille, you are likely to be given the Orbit Braille Reader. If you argue for additional features, this will be taken into account.
Christine Simpson asked what size card the display can take. Neil estimated 32GB, which holds a lot of books in .brf format.
Janet Douglas gave thanks. The Braille Reader will be hugely useful for agencies working with vision impaired people.
Tristan Clare asked if the Braille Reader could have USB and Bluetooth to connect with phone. Neil replied that yes, it already has mini USB and Bluetooth.
Joanne Chua commented that the refresh rate is quite slow. It will be increased somewhat. Joanne said the braille was very good. Neil commented that it was previously poor, but the manufacturers improved it wonderfully upon feedback.
Battery life is estimated at 10-15 hours. It does not go flat if left unused. Neil has not charged his for a month.
Julie Sutherland was very impressed with the quality of the braille. Will it support access to magazines and newspapers being produced by organisations like VA? It already will, if they put them on an SD card or if you have it as a text file on your PC or phone. It does not have online capability.
Debbie Cooke said the quality of braille is fantastic. Are the next versions going to be thinner? Neil replied no, the size is likely to remain the same. There is always a trade-off between functionality and cost.
Debbie Cooke suggested a loans scheme for devices from organisations to save costs on hard copy braille. Some organisations in the LLC will do just that.
Neil welcomes any further questions at a later date.
10. Meeting close
Christine gave thanks to all for their attendance and participation at the meeting.
She welcomed the new executive and looks forward to working with them.
Christine also gave thanks for the past six years in her role as Chair. We have worked together to promote braille as medium of choice for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Thanks were given to:
• John Simpson, for audio support throughout the meeting
• Marjorie Hawkings for administrative support
• the members of the Round Table Executive
• the outgoing executive of the ABA.
Neil gave thanks to Christine for 6 fantastic years as Chair of ABA and executive member of RT.
Neil also congratulated Jordie Howell as her new position as ABA Chair and welcomed the new ABA Executive Committee.
Appendix 1:
Australian Braille Authority
Report of the Chair
May 2015
Introduction:
The Australian Braille Authority (ABA) continues to grow and strengthen. Since last reporting much has happened. Goals have been reached; friends have been farewelled; and the importance of braille to blind people is becoming better recognised.
• The ABA Rules and Guidelines for Formatting Braille is now complete;
• Ozbrl and our Braille Australia Webpage continue to disseminate information;
• The Australian Braille Music Addendum is proving its worth;
• We have two new Trans-Tasman Proficiency Certificate awardees; and,
• involvement with the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) continues through our active membership of its working committees.
Structure and Accountability:
The ABA is charged with overseeing the development and maintenance of braille codes and specifications used in Australia. It serves as Australia’s braille accreditation body, and promotes braille as the primary literacy tool for people who are blind, deafblind, or have severe vision impairment.
As ABA Chair, I am a voting member of the Executive of our parent organisation, the Round Table on Information Access for People with a Print Disability Inc. (Round Table). I report on our activities at Round Table Executive meetings and participate in the broader management of the organisation. I thank Round Table Executive members led by Neil Jarvis, for their guidance and support throughout the year.
Our ABA members are Round Table Member organisations, interested in the production, teaching and use of braille. The work of staff and volunteers from member organisations in providing high quality braille to readers throughout the country is invaluable. As braille readers we benefit greatly from the braille code knowledge that they acquire and demonstrate; the enthusiasm they show; and the care and pride they display through the diversity and complexity of transcription projects they undertake.
Farewell to Friends:
Throughout the year we were saddened to note the passing of a number of colleagues:
• Tammy Axelsen, our friend, colleague and a strong braille advocate was Round Table's Administration Manager for almost 20 years.
• Linda Triasmono, a braille user, teacher, advocate and leader throughout her entire life was ABA Secretary for more than two years.
• John Shute was a prolific volunteer music transcriber – he produced more than 30,000 titles over 20 years.
• Phil Gilbert was a highly skilled and respected tactile graphics producer with almost 50 years of volunteer work with RBS and Vision Australia.
We say "farewell and thank you" to each of you. Your contributions will live on long in our hearts and minds. Rest in peace!
Executive:
Again this year I have led a dedicated, hardworking and enthusiastic Executive. Each member has worked diligently to achieve great results:
• Jordie Howell, a braille user throughout her life, brings to the ABA her experience of working at a high level, with both the Literary and Music codes as well as her teaching and transcription experience. Jordie is a competent user of the Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) and is experienced in using various braille notetakers.
• Josie Howse has years of local and international experience in the world of braille. Her skills in conveying the braille code to others, (either through face-to-face teaching, or through the design of teaching materials) are in high demand.
• Leona Holloway never fails to surprise. She has the ability to turn her mind and her hands to an amazing number of complex tasks in parallel. With no prior, experience Leona successfully designed webpages for both the ABA and Round Table. She has done an amazing job at leading the group who are producing our Braille Formatting Manual and has worked as our ABA Correspondence Secretary. She maintains our Facebook page and has been my right hand, my "go to person". Leona's work is highly respected internationally.
• Kathy Riessen is a clear thinker with highly developed research skills. She can usually find the example we need to illustrate the point of discussion. She is concise when documenting processes and excellent at troubleshooting. Kathy is well known for her ability to quickly find the solution or the cause.
• Julee-anne Bell, who is also a braille user, left the Executive late last year due to increased work commitments. Upon joining Executive, Julee-anne volunteered as Minute Secretary. Her ability to quickly understand the jargon and the issues was amazing. Her enthusiasm for the Queensland Braille Forum and particularly the involvement of children was important to us all.
The Executive team has also benefitted greatly by having both Nicole Donaldson and Tricia d'Apice participating in our meetings. As leaders of the Queensland and Sydney Braille Forums, Nicole and Tricia have enabled us to keep across Forum activities. Their involvement encourages a timely exchange of information between ABA Executive and Forum members.
My thanks to you all for outstanding contributions.
Regional Braille Forums:
Sydney forum
The Sydney Braille Forum met four times throughout the year and was again convened by Tricia d'Apice with Annette Sutherland as Secretary. Together they worked hard to ensure that meetings had a guest speaker whose topic would appeal to audiences including braille readers, teachers, parents and transcribers alike. Their final meeting for the year attracted more than 80 people and it served as the Braille Writing Competition award night. The competition attracted entries from 49 braille-using students across the state.
Queensland forum
The Queensland Braille Forum was again convened by Nicole Donaldson, with Julee-anne Bell as Secretary. Their main focus continues to be Braille Club – now in its fourth year. Braille Club brings together young braille using students who, (one afternoon each school term) come together and have fun while discovering new and exciting ways with braille. These afternoons continue to be popular with several children regularly attending. Activities included braille games and competitions, cooking from a braille recipe, mapping exercises and braille technologies. As usual, adult forum members joined with Queensland Braille Writing Association members to organise the annual Braille Challenge for braille using students. This is another project which encourages our blind youth to develop and value their braille skills.
Reports from both the Sydney and Queensland forums are attached for your reading.
Publications:
The Unified English Braille: – Australian Training Manual is in high demand. It can be downloaded from our ABA website and printed, embossed, read as a PDF file or as a braille file on an electronic braille notetaker. It is of immense assistance to anyone wishing to learn braille, or to revise their braille skills.
The DBT Producer's Manual remains a valued "how to" reference for DBT users. Its many explanations, screen dumps and step by step instructional guides are regularly called upon.
Our newest manual is the ABA Rules and Guidelines for Formatting Braille. It has been a long time in coming, but has finally arrived. It represents literally years of work by a small and dedicated team. In particular, we owe great thanks to Leona Holloway, for her persistence with and belief in the need for this title. Leona's work has been exemplary, but she could not have done it alone. Throughout the entire project, the working group members have been there to give input, encouragement, find examples, wordsmith the text, offer alternatives, proof and re-proof and much more. I believe that if any of us had realised the size and complexity of this project at its outset, we probably would have cautioned against going ahead. This manual in its various formats is also available for download from the ABA webpage.
Communication:
• Our Braille Australia Website continues to receive a regular stream of queries, relating mainly to braille signage and standards, and also the availability of braille products and services. We have seen a steady increase in page views throughout the year. After the Welcome page, the most popular pages are those on Unified English Braille, the UEB Australian Training Manual and the Directory of braille services and products in Australia. The events page is constantly updated. Changes have also been made to the information for sign-makers, based on their feedback which we welcome.
• Our Facebook page has more than 375 followers, of whom three quarters are female. Around 250 followers are from Australia, 25 from the US and 25 from New Zealand. The number from other countries is growing steadily. We now send monthly digests of our posts to Ozbrl. We know these are helpful, but we encourage Facebook users to continue following our page for more up-to-date information. We encourage you to share your interest in braille and to contribute to our online community. Our most popular Facebook posts reach several hundred, or even thousands, of Facebook users. These posts tend to be stories about the importance of braille and new braille technologies.
• The Ozbrl listserv continues to be our primary means of communicating with members. Readers are encouraged to use it to share news and submit queries. Over the past year there has been an increase in queries about the availability of braille transcriptions (particularly music titles). We encourage such enquiries. Thank you Bruce Maguire for his moderation of Ozbrl.
Proficiency in Unified English Braille:
The annual Trans-Tasman Proficiency Certificate in Unified English Braille was conducted during the first week of October 2015. This is the eighth year this test has been conducted as a joint undertaking between Australia and New Zealand.
There were four candidates who sat the test from Australia, two of whom were touch readers. The two successful candidates, (one touch reader and one sighted reader) achieved a Pass and a Distinction respectively. This has resulted in Australia awarding a total of 55 certificates to successful candidates since 2008. Congratulations to all our Trans-Tasman Certificate holders, especially our two latest recipients. My thanks to all involved with the conduct of these Braille Proficiency tests in both Australia and New Zealand.
Braille Music in Australia:
Jordie Howell chairs our Music Subcommittee. Her report for the last year is attached.
In order to more closely align the work of our various music transcribers around the country and to provide a one-stop reference for Australia, she lead a group of transcribers and musicians who together compiled the Australian Braille Music Addendum. This document contains sections on transcribing vocal music, piano music, instrumental music, and guidance on how to format a paper for a music theory exam.
After a long battle with cancer, John Shute OAM passed away in August 2015. John dedicated much of his retirement to transcribing music for the National Braille Music Camps, as well as for choristers, music teachers and instrumentalists, both in Australia and overseas. Earlier this year, he was honoured posthumously with an Order of Australia Medal for his services to people who are blind or have low vision. John's work lives on in the thousands of pages he transcribed; many of which are accessed by blind musicians on a daily basis.
The 2016 National Braille Music Camp will again be held in Mittagong NSW, in late June. Music students from upper primary through to senior secondary school who read Grade II braille are encouraged to attend. If you know young blind musicians interested in improving their braille music skills, Braille Music Camp is a fun place to be!
International Council on English Braille (ICEB):
ICEB Member countries are Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. The President is Christo de Clerk, Maria Stevens is Vice President and Bill Jolley is Treasurer. The ICEB Executive Committee meets quarterly using teleconferences.
The UEB Code Maintenance Committee is responsible for official documentation of the rules of UEB, providing clarification where needed and making additions and changes as necessary. The Committee is chaired by Phyllis Landon from Canada and consists of one representative code expert from each ICEB member country – Leona Holloway being Australia's representative. In addition, there are two independent code experts – Christine Simpson (Rulebook Editor) and Joe Sullivan (Duxbury Systems).
UEB implementation in the USA, Canada, Ireland and the UK has gathered pace over the last year; so more observers from these countries have joined the Committee’s email discussion list. All members of the ABA Executive and the Convenors of the ABA’s Braille Forums are observers on this list.
Discussion has concluded regarding confusion between the print apostrophe and single quote. Incorrect automated translation was occurring because the similar-looking print symbols are sometimes used interchangeably in source documents. As a result the final sentence in UEB Rule 7.6.5 has been amended to read:
7.6.5 Use one-cell (nonspecific) quotation marks when apostrophes are used as the predominant quotation marks in print. Use specific single quotation marks when apostrophes are used as the secondary or inner quotation marks in print. However, when in doubt as to whether a mark is an apostrophe or a single quotation mark, treat it as an apostrophe when between letters, and as a single quotation mark in other circumstances.
A query was received regarding the use of numeric passage indicators for long strings of numbers, such as: ISBNs; the printing history of a book; page numbers in an index; or a series of measurements. A clear preference was shown for restricting the use of the numeric passage indicator primarily to technical material; as readability is considered more important than the small space-saving that could be achieved in most instances. However, the numeric passage indicator may be used in literary material when there is a clear advantage to its use, such as for arrays of numbers which would not otherwise fit on the page in a logical manner.
Revision of the Technical Guidelines has been discussed but not yet commenced.
The sixth ICEB General Assembly will be held in the United States in late May 2016, at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore. Australia’s delegation will be headed by Jordie Howell, with the other members being Bill Jolley, Josie Howse and Leona Holloway. A highlight of the Assembly will be the consideration of reports and papers on the implementation of UEB around the world.
Conclusion:
My thanks to all who have contributed to this report. It has been a busy year for the Executive, and we still have much to do. We welcome your ideas and your feedback.
This meeting brings to an end my time as Chair of the Australian Braille Authority. The last six years have passed quickly and I am heartened and proud of our achievements over this time.
• Most significantly, we have fully implemented UEB in Australia. It is now our official braille code. It is well regarded and integrated into our lives – at home, in education, in employment and in our leisure activities. UEB is now part of our daily lives – there is no going back!
• Our braille related publications are widely used. They set high standards for the production of braille throughout the country so, we now truly do oversee the development and maintenance of braille codes and specifications as used in Australia.
• Collaboration with our New Zealand colleagues to conduct the annual Trans-Tasman Certificate of Proficiency in Unified English Braille ensures an expectation of a high standard of braille production from transcribers as well as an understanding that the level we set is appropriate and acceptable outside our own shores.
• With the introduction of Regional Braille Forums our structure has changed and we are now far more inclusive of our young braille users – our leaders of tomorrow.
• We continue to raise our profile in the "world of braille" internationally the expertise of Australia's braille leaders is often sought by colleagues overseas.
• Through the efforts of ABA leaders, we have ensured that the words "braille", "progress" and "Australia" are often used together by our international colleagues. We have lead the way in our adoption of UEB. We will continue to meet the leadership challenges which come our way.
I thank each of you here today as well as your colleagues who have participated in ABA meetings and projects in the past, for the support and encouragement you have all given me. Without you the Australian Braille Authority could not exist and prosper.
Thank you.
Appendix 2: Sydney Braille Forum Summary – 2015
As 2015 was not an election year the Executive have remained unchanged with Tricia d’Apice as Convenor and Annette Sutherland as Secretary.
Sydney Braille Forum met four times in 2015, below is a summary of the year’s activities.
• March 25th: There was a presentation on 3D printing, by Owen Doyle from RIDBC Teleschool, multimedia team. He brought along a variety of models that had been made from files available on the internet, including The Eiffel Tower, a 20 facet braille dice for the game “Dungeons and Dragons”, and small braille puzzles. The question asked about the model of a penguin was “how do you know it is a penguin, is there a picture on it?” Answer given was that it is the only animal shaped like that. Owen later demonstrated the printer itself, allowing people to feel the filament, and to how differently it is shaped from a regular printer. Eleven people attended on the night.
• June 10th: Sixteen people attended the Sydney Braille Forum meeting on Wednesday, where Nigel Herring gave a practical demonstration on cleaning braille embossers. Consumers were given the chance to have hands-on practice. Following Nigel, was an informative demonstration of RealSAM (Simple Accessible Media) given by Sondra Wibberley.
• August 26th: Shane Doepel (Assistant Principal-Support Teacher Vision) presented on her recent study “Accessing the Australian National Curriculum – what skills and technology do blind students need?” Shane’s presentation promoted much discussion on how we could provide the best for our students in areas of socialisation, braille, technology and daily living skills. She cited the year-long BLENNZ program in Auckland as being exemplary. Eighteen people attended.
• November 18th: The Braille Writing Competition Award night was held at Burwood RSL club where over eighty people attended. The audience was treated to a marvelous presentation by the author Jacqueline Harvey, who wrote the Clementine Rose and Alice-Miranda series for children. A record of forty nine students entered the competition; many of them including their families, friends and teachers attended on the night. The support from our members, sponsors and Annette Sutherland’s planning and professionalism has led to another successful Award Night.
Tricia d’Apice
May 2016
Appendix 3: Queensland Braille Forum Report 2015
The annual report of the ABA Queensland Regional Forum covers the period from March 2015 until the present. During this time the forum has met four times. An AGM was held on the 25th February 2016. At this AGM Nicole Donaldson stepped down from the role of Convenor after many years and Julee-anne Bell stepped down as Secretary. Wayne Weismann was elected Convenor and also Correspondence Secretary. It was decided by the forum that the taking of minutes would be shared by members on a rotational basis. Sue Wagner was re-elected as Treasurer.
The year has seen the 3rd year of Braille Club – a fun afternoon for students who use braille. This continues to be a very successful program. Most sessions have up to 10 children attending. Braille Club is run each term and sessions have included mapping, reading recipes, and braille based technology. This session was extremely popular as most young people are using braille displays or electronic braille devices in their classrooms and found the session valuable as they shared knowledge and tips. This year Braille House are opening their library to braille club so the young people are able to borrow braille books at each session.
The Braille Literacy Challenge was once again run by QBWA in conjunction with Education Queensland. Whilst ABA was not directly involved in any organisation of the day, ABA members attended the challenge and participated in judging roles as well as interacting with many of the students. The day was a great success and it is great that some students have such a familiarity with Braille House and know the ABA members due to braille club.
The Queensland Forum would particularly wish to recognise the passing of Linda Triasmono and the amazing contributions that Linda has made to ABA and the field of Braille over many years. She was untiring in her work in raising awareness about Braille and in all aspects of ABA and RoundTable. Linda was also passionate about Braille Club and passing on her love of braille to the next generation. She shall be missed.
Nicole Donaldson
Queensland Regional Braille Forum
Appendix 4: Braille Music in Australia
Music Addendum
Although Vision Australia transcribes much of the braille music that is requested for braille reading musicians in Australia, there are many other transcribers brailling music; particularly in the education sector. This is done either manually, or with the aid of transcription software such as Toccata or Goodfeel. There is an international manual of braille music transcription as well as the UK Transcription Layout Manual which transcribers use as reference texts, however formatting practices differ between countries. To provide a one-stop reference for Australia, a group of transcribers and musicians came together and completed work on the Australian Braille Music Addendum. This document contains sections on transcribing vocal music, piano music, instrumental music, and how to format a paper for a music theory exam. We welcome comments, additions, clarifications and other feedback.
The addendum can be downloaded from:
John Shute OAM
Our beloved transcriber, John Shute, passed away in August last year. John dedicated much of his retirement to transcribing music for the national Braille Music Camps as well as for choristers, music teachers and instrumentalists both in Australia and overseas. John was honoured posthumously with an Order of Australia Medal for his services to people who are blind or have low vision. On 6 March, we will hold a concert to thank John for his work. Blind musicians from across Australia will perform choral and solo works from John’s vast catalogue of music titles. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to Cancer Research Australia. John’s work will live on in the thousands of pages he has transcribed which many of us still access on a daily basis.
National Braille Music Camp
This year’s National Braille Music Camp will once again be held in Mittagong, New South Wales from Saturday 25 June to the morning of Saturday 2 July. We encourage students from upper primary school through to senior secondary who read Grade II braille to consider attending, even if you are a beginning braille music reader.
Jordie Howell
May 2016
Appendix 5: Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT) Annual report
1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015
Building Better Braille Literacy for People who are blind or have low vision
Purpose of the trust
The purpose of the Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT) is to:
• set standards and to make rulings on braille code usage within New Zealand;
• maintain awareness and consistency with current international developments in all braille codes;
• accredit practitioners involved in braille production;
• promote braille as the prime literacy medium for blind people; and
• promote best practice in teaching, acquisition and distribution of braille.
The year in review from the Chair
It is my pleasure to introduce a review of the fifth year of the work of the Braille authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT).
Building Better Braille
When BANZAT was formed in 2010 we inherited the history, philosophy, decisions and goals of the Braille Authority of New Zealand and the Braille Literacy Panel. We have steadily built on their work.
As we strive to maintain and build braille standards, we realise we are not the braille police. We use persuasion to build better braille for literacy for people who are blind or have low vision through teaching, production and distribution.
We will now take you through the events for the trust over the past year. We begin with our trustees and then discuss each of the five strands of our purpose. We conclude with a report on our financial position and performance.
Members of the trust
The trust has 11 trustees with one vacancy. There are five founding bodies who appoint seven trustees. The five founding bodies are Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ), Blind Citizens NZ, the Blind Foundation, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa/New Zealand and Parents of Vision Impaired. Their seven trustees may appoint up to four additional trustees.
Retiring trustee Janet Reynolds
In September 2014 we sadly farewelled from BANZAT Janet Reynolds. Janet retired from the Blind Foundation in her role as head of braille production in June 2014. Her contribution to braille in New Zealand over more than two decades has been invaluable.
Before she came to us, Janet was a secondary school teacher of mathematics. She was the architect of the Unified English Braille (UEB) Guidelines for Technical Materials, now being considered for revision by the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) Code Maintenance Committee. Janet was a founding trustee of BANZAT and its first Treasurer.
Though Janet is a great loss she has passed on her learning to her production team and many braille users around the world.
Purpose Strand 1: Standards-setting for braille codes and formats
In 2005 New Zealand adopted the Unified English Braille (UEB) code for use in New Zealand.
UEB deals very well with the code but there is also the issue of format, how braille is laid out on the page to show headings and so on. Last September BANZAT launched a booklet called “Essentials of Braille Formatting”. The rules for properly formatted braille are accompanied by examples in print (simulated braille) and braille, as well as helpful hints for users of the Duxbury Braille Translator program. It includes advice for transcribing menus, agendas, lists, Māori and much more.
“Essentials of Braille Formatting” is on the BANZAT website at .nz.
Purpose Strand 2: Maintain consistency with all international braille codes
The rules for UEB were established and continue to be maintained by the International Council on English Braille (ICEB). BANZAT is a member of ICEB and several trustees serve on its committees. In the year under review, the ICEB Code Maintenance Committee continued to discuss a range of issues raised by members.
ICEB's Music Committee discusses the code for braille music and any queries relating to how the music code intersects with UEB when, for example, lyrics accompany the music.
Looking ahead, ICEB is holding its Sixth General Assembly in Baltimore next May. With funding from the Blind Foundation and BLENNZ New Zealand will have at least three delegates at the General Assembly. While we will learn from our colleagues, we will also be able to share our experiences as New Zealand was the first ICEB member country to transition from the Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science to UEB.
Purpose Strand 3: Accredit practitioners involved in braille production
Trans-Tasman Unified English Braille Proficiency Certificate
New Zealand can be proud of its history in the quality of braille teaching. Not only do we teach braille to our teachers of learners, young and old, but also the teachers have themselves been sitting formal braille examinations since the mid 1980s. The teachers who work for the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) and the Blind Foundation are expected to sit and pass the Trans-Tasman Unified English Braille Proficiency Certificate. This certificate is administered jointly by BANZAT and the Australian Braille Authority.
In 2014 the Trans-Tasman Braille Proficiency examination was sat in New Zealand by 15 candidates. One passed with distinction, nine passed with credit (including two braille users), three received a pass mark, and two were unsuccessful.
The rules that guide the setting of the papers and the running of the annual examination were set in 2008 when the Trans-Tasman joint certificate was established. There was a review in 2013.
Looking ahead the examiners from the Australian Braille Authority and BANZAT will be revising the rules. The goal is to allow flexibility to reflect the different formats used on each side of the Tasman, the need to test the transcription of passages in Te Reo Māori in New Zealand, and timetable issues because of different school holiday dates, while retaining shared rules about what the examination should test and how each section of the paper should be structured. The intention is to finalise the new rules by May 2016.
Accreditation of producers using computer translation software
Braille can be produced by six-key entry of the code into a manual braille machine or on a computer keyboard. It can also be produced with computer software that translates text into braille ready format files for embossing. The Trans-Tasman Certificate examines knowledge of the braille code and the six-key entry method. It does not test knowledge of computer translation software and there is only some testing of knowledge of braille format.
The Trust became aware that some braille is being produced by some individuals using computer translation software who are charging for their service but are not delivering braille to the standards set by BANZAT. BANZAT is not just concerned about braille code and format but also about the quality of embossing, binding, labelling and packaging of the product being supplied to end users. Examples of poor production in all these aspects have been reported to BANZAT. This is one of the most important issues BANZAT has had to deal with.
To turn this situation around, the Trust decided to set up an accreditation scheme for braille producers working in New Zealand using computer translation software. We drafted the accreditation scheme and took it out to the sector in two rounds of consultation. We took on board many suggestions from a number of written submissions.
The scheme provides for the accreditation of organisations as well as individuals. The Blind Foundation and the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) were accredited as organisation braille producers at the launch of the scheme.
We called for individuals who already hold the prerequisite qualification of the Trans-Tasman Unified English Braille Proficiency Certificate or its equivalent to seek accreditation. At the closing date for our first call we received one application.
Looking ahead, we will be marketing the accreditation scheme to known purchasers of braille and advertising accredited organisations and individuals on the BANZAT website.
We also intend to seek funding to provide a training course for holders of the Trans-Tasman Braille Proficiency Certificate to become proficient in the use of the computer braille translation software. In addition we will teach the basics of embossing or printing braille, binding, packaging and despatch so the finished product is the best it can be for braille readers.
Our 16 June 2015 Minutes record the adoption of the accreditation scheme in BANZAT's Policy 7. We believe the accreditation scheme will positively influence the future quality of braille production in New Zealand and ranks as our most important achievement over the past five years.
Purpose Strand 4: Promote braille as the prime literacy medium for blind people
We are often told, and we sometimes read this in the media, that braille is no longer needed in today's technology world. Braille readers know that is not the case. Our teachers continue to teach braille to our blind children and newly blinded adults, just as print is taught to sighted people.
Trustees working in both formal and volunteer settings promote literacy through braille in a number of ways.
Immersion courses for braille learners at BLENNZ
The Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) supports learners who are blind or have low vision who attend primary and secondary schools throughout New Zealand. Resource Teachers Vision visit learners in their schools. In addition learners attend residential immersion courses at the Hōmai campus of BLENNZ.
During the year 36 braille learners attended immersion courses. Most of these learners have attended more than one course and parents attended one of these courses with their child. The key focus areas for these courses have been:
• Learning how to use their technology such as laptop with screen readers and developing typing skills. All students and their teachers have received tutorials to support ongoing learning when they return home.
• Learning how to use Braille Music Editor, a software program that supports independence in music composition, allowing braille music input with print score output. Eight students attended this course.
• Study and exam skills, for example, working successfully with a reader writer.
• Independent travel using a long cane and developing map reading skills.
• Tactile graphic interpretation in maths.
• Life skills such as independent personal care and eating.
• Social skills.
Teaching braille remotely to sighted adults
The National Assessment Service on the Hōmai Campus of BLENNZ provides the opportunity for parents, teachers, teacher aides and in special circumstances others throughout the country to learn braille. Referrals may be received from National Assessment Service itself, parents, Resource Teachers Vision and the Blind Foundation.
Upon enrolment, the tutor mails a starter kit which includes all the information about the course. Initially all course members are required to produce braille using the manual Perkins brailler or the electronic Mountbatten brailler. When the required standard is met students may use a software program called Perky Duck which accepts six-key entry on a computer keyboard and produces simulated braille on the computer screen.
Braille lessons are posted back to the course tutor who marks the braille and provides supportive comments, further instruction and additional resources. Students may sit the Trans-Tasman UEB Proficiency Certificate which is run each year.
Purpose Strand 5: Promote best practice in teaching, acquisition and distribution of braille
In this strand we would like to share with pride the steady growth we see from braille organisations around the country as well as some BANZAT outreach efforts.
• The number of companies asking the Blind Foundation for advice on how to include braille on their business cards or other promotional material is on the increase.
• The Blind Foundation is reviewing its Braille Signage Guidelines. The Trust will be making a submission about this review.
• New Zealand Post again agreed to underwrite the costs for braille and large print letters for its annual Letters from Santa promotion. One hundred and twenty-six braille letters were requested via the official Santa website, and supplied by the Blind Foundation on behalf of New Zealand Post. This once again demonstrated their commitment to braille and large print.
• The BANZAT website .nz is now well established, with links to braille manuals and information about BANZAT activities. The documents about the accreditation scheme are also on the website.
• BANZAT recognises the need to encourage younger braille users to get more involved. Two members of BANZAT have been working on a social media presence via Twitter and Facebook.
Appreciation
I wish to acknowledge with appreciation the dedication and hard work of the members of BANZAT. As our braille users move through their educational journey with a wide range of devices to access braille it is pleasing to note that our work will benefit braille users now and in to the future.
Maria Stevens
Chairperson
The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust
Appendix 6: Queensland Braille Writing Association
The QBWA Library has been completely remodelled and now comprises all our reading materials for vision impaired readers, that is braille and Moon books and the braille magazines. Moving the collected braille contents of the library from upstairs in the large compactus to the area under Braille House that used to house only the Moon and magazines library has been the major undertaking of this year. While the library staff culled, sorted, and crated our books for the move, work was going on to restore the undercroft of the House to create a light, clean, airy environment for our library workers as well as for the books themselves!
Tutoring: In the midst of Braille House refurbishing, the Tutoring room has experienced increased numbers of students as well as much sorting, culling and documenting of many years of transcription work that has been stored in the compactus in the Tutoring room while the Library was transitioning. Suitable books from the culls are being sent to a school at Alotau in Papua New Guinea.
Transcribing: We are pleased to welcome another Perkins transcriber: Helene Merker. Helene, who is partially vision- and hearing-impaired learned braille at Nundah through QBWA’s “I Can Read Braille” program and last year passed the Australian and New Zealand Braille Proficiency test. She is now brailling children’s books for the QBWA Braille Library.
Computer braillers in both MS Word and Duxbury have been upgraded thanks to a two day workshop kindly and expertly provided by Kathy Riessen.
2015 Braille Literacy Challenge again provided an excellent opportunity for braille-using students to engage with their peers and demonstrate their braille knowledge and skills. The theme, in keeping with Gallipoli Centenary year was: ANZAC – Stories from the Front. 2015 was the second year we ran the Braille is Fun category to encourage very early involvement with the art and science of braille. We had enough entries to form two groups.
Linda Triasmono died on Christmas Day 2015 after a long battle with cancer and her funeral was held on New Year’s Eve in a packed church with lots of her favourite music. Many readers of our Braille Magazine will remember Linda from the years that she was the Editor. Of course, she was not only the Editor but also researcher, advisor, back office assistant, teacher and mentor to people on the team.
Indeed, Linda was part of QBWA in many roles. I have seen her at Braille Club with a group of children around her taking part in a musical or educational activity in which the children hardly knew that they were learning because they were having such fun. We benefited also from Linda’s willingness to cajole a good tune out of the old piano at Braille House – and we know that was only a small part of her considerable musical skill. Linda did not always agree with the way things happened at Braille House but she was willing to see other points of view. “As long as you stick to policy” – was a familiar catch cry in strategic planning. Her input – and efficient note taking – at meetings both of QBWA and the ABA was highly valued.
Sue Wagner
QBWA March 2016
Appendix 7: Northern Territory Vision Education Centre
We currently have four staff at the Vision Resource Centre. We have two resource production personnel and two Education Advisors.
During the past twelve months we have produced a combination of braille resources and large print materials for one student. We have produced braille books at the appropriate reading level from the reading scheme being used at the school. We have provided braille books for the student to read at home and in the school library.
We have conducted braille lessons for this student, with all staff being involved at some point throughout the year. This student also receives braille lessons from RIDBC. This student participated and received an award in the New South Wales Braille Writing Competition. She is currently very keen to produce her own braille pictures.
We have commenced teaching braille to one student in a remote community. This student is very enthusiastic and is excited to be able to access literacy for the first time.
We continue to provide large print materials for a number of students at both primary and high school level. These materials include test materials, text books and reading material.
We have produced a number of tactile books with braille for our prior to school children and children with blindness/vision impairment and additional disabilities throughout the Northern Territory.
The Vision Resource Team, with the support of Vision Australia, also continues to provide a range of braille and magnification equipment for a number of our students and prior to school age children.
This year we also organised an expo to display braille and magnification equipment and information for families and school staff.
It has been a busy and successful year for the entire team and our production team takes great pride in their work and continue to ensure resources produced comply with all guidelines and are of a high quality.
We are pleased to be a part of the Australian Braille Authority and to be able to have a delegate at the Round Table Conference. We congratulate the ABA for their continued support and their great work in providing information and advocating for people who are blind or have a vision impairment.
Our highly valued and longstanding translator of thirty years, Elaine Goostrey, is currently managing a project to record the history of the Vision Resource Centre in the Northern Territory covering the time of her involvement. She has also been managing the establishment of an historical display of resources that demonstrate the many changes in
the Vision Impairment world over the years. This includes braille and magnification equipment, braille and large print resources, photographs and a professional library.
Barbara McDonald
Senior Education Advisor Vision
Student Services
Department of Education
Northern Territory
Appendix 8: The Orbit Braille Reader
Presentation to the 2016 Annual meeting of the Australian Braille Authority
By: Neil Jarvis, Blind Foundation New Zealand and Round Table President
Four years ago, more than a dozen blindness organisations from all over the world came together to see what could be done about the lack of affordable electronic braille.
We all felt that if braille is to survive and indeed to grow in the future, something had to be done to make it accessible to more people.
At a time when we're experiencing an explosion in the availability of books and other documents in electronic format, and specifically in electronic braille format, it has been a long-standing frustration that accessing such content relies heavily on also being able to access expensive equipment upon which to read it.
This is not to minimise the value and the importance of the plethora of quality electronic braille devices: They are great devices. But in most markets, there is not just a range of products, but also a range of prices to fit all kinds of budgets. Not everyone who drives a car drives a Ferrari!
We envisaged a time, not very far away, when braille production agencies and libraries would be able to distribute huge quantities of braille volumes of content electronically, rather than huge paper braille volumes.
But that can only happen if every recipient of such content has something they can read it on. We were not primarily concerned about people who already were able to access the traditional devices, in spite of the price-tags. Our target audience was those people who cannot buy their own devices, or who do not qualify for funding to enable them to purchase it. What we felt was needed, was a device which would get people on the electronic braille train. We called our project Transforming Braille.
We set ourselves an objective of bringing to market a device that would cost around US$500, rather than a couple of thousand or a lot more for the traditional devices. We didn't, and still don't see such a device to be in competition with the devices you all know: This was entry level – it might even encourage people to learn and keep up their braille and progress to the more expensive and feature-rich devices.
The first thing we did was to undertake a review of the many projects which were underway around the world which were looking at developing lower-cost braille technology. We researched more than 50 of them from all over the world. We assessed them against a set of criteria as well as had engineering expertise from within our sector to evaluate ideas or, where they existed, prototypes. By 2013, we had chosen a technology which we felt was worthy of investing capital in.
At that point, the rubber was hitting the road: It’s one thing to talk about what's needed, it's quite another to do something about it; that means fronting up and putting cash on the table.
Up until that point, Transforming Braille had been a project hosted by the DAISY Consortium. In order to move to the next level, around 12 of our agencies came together to form a limited liability company, legally based in the US. This company would be the vehicle by which funds would be channelled towards our goal. It would establish the very tricky list of requirements for such a device, resolve arguments about what should be included and what shouldn't, and would protect its share of the intellectual property which would arise from Transforming Braille. Its most important task was to identify and contract with a manufacturer which would bring our vision to reality.
Three years and about one-and-a-quarter million dollars later, the Transforming Braille device had undergone many revisions, several prototypes (each more advanced than the previous one), and a stable feature set was established.
In March this year, we formally launched the device, under the name of Orbit Braille Reader.
Next week, Transforming Braille will be meeting to finalise the number of units which each of the blindness agencies is ready to purchase. That will give Orbit, our manufacturing partner, a clear indication of the number of units which will be produced in the first run, and the corresponding cost of the device.
We expect it to be available by the end of the year, and, orders permitting, will be at the target price of around US$500.
Both Vision Australia and the Blind Foundation in New Zealand are members of the Transforming Braille Group and will ensure the device is available in our respective countries.
I have a prototype of the device with me today. It has 20 cells, is primarily designed to read books from its SD card, but will also work as a braille display for windows, mac, iOS and android screen-readers. It will also have a very basic text editing facility.
What it isn't is a traditional note-taker device with all the bells and whistles and advanced features they have. It is what we set out to make it: An entry level device which will bring electronic braille to people who wouldn't otherwise have it.
During the testing cycle we did a few months ago, it became clear that it would also be for some people, a secondary or back-up braille device to their existing displays or note-takers.
We set out to show that it is possible to produce a low-cost braille device. We hope it will have a knock-on effect and other companies in the electronic braille business will themselves bring lower-cost devices to market.
It is high time that the blindness organisations around the world bring their combined financial power to make a change in this industry. It’s what many of us did historically in our own countries. We can be even more effective if we work together, regardless of borders. If braille is to have a long-term future, it needs to be transformed. The Orbit Braille Reader is one of the first steps in that transformation.
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